07 November 2023 , 23:24
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Strictly Come Dancing's Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell were backed by one former star of the show on Tuesday, days after they faced harsh critique from some of the judges.
Former show pro dancer Joanne Clifton told It Takes Two host Fleur East that Bobby's leading during their Argentine Tango on Saturday night was well done, despite comments from judge Craig Revel Horwood suggesting he didn't lead Dianne properly. Fleur joked Joanne was "controversial" as she hit back at Craig's scoring too, saying Bobby deserved more than what he was given.
On the weekend, Dianne and Bobby pulled off an electric performance, which divided the judges. While Shirley Ballas heaped praise on the duo and Bobby's skill, Craig and fellow judge Anton Du Beke both shared their disapproval of parts of the performance.
So when evaluating the routine on Tuesday on spin-off It Takes Two, Joanne was quick to defend the pair and Bobby's leading during the dance. She told Fleur that Bobby "did his job really well", and she agreed with Shirley's comments over those made by the others.
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell faced harsh critique from some of the judges (BBC)Amid the critique and the low scoring on Craig's part, Joanne backed the duo ahead of their next performance. She said: "I agree with I think Shirley that Dianne was on her balance, she was in her lifts, you didn't see any awkwardness at all. So he was actually doing his job really, really well.
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"If anything.. in the bits when they are walking around the floor I felt it could look a bit rehearsed, like what Anton was saying because his weight was just on himself, where if he kept that weight towards Dianne it would have given the impression he was leading. But I thought it was an incredible dance and definitely worth loads more than a six..."
Fleur then joked: "Okay, controversial..." as Joanne made it clear she did not agree with Craig's score. On the night, Craig had told Bobby: "I thought it was too aggressive and there wasn't enough air or breathing in it. I didn't feel like you were leading, you were placing everything.
Craig and fellow judge Anton Du Beke both shared their disapproval (BBC)"This dance is about cause and effect, you create what the girl does or whoever your partner is, you create that. I felt like it was simply choreographed rather than being danced together."
The crowd booed Craig for his comments, while Anton also said it looked too rehearsed and "needed to be a little bit messy". Shirley disagreed with her co-judges, and was quick to praise the pair.
She told them: "Well I don't agree with any of them Bobby, how about that? I thought you had attitude, I thought you had great striking action when it came to the feet.
"First of all as a leading skill, this young lady could not have done what she is doing unless you are where you need to be." Dianne agreed with this and nodded, before replying: "That's right."
As the audience applauded, Shirley went on: "You can't go up, you can't go down, you can't flick your legs, you can't do anything unless the man has got a good leading still, trust me." Dianne backed this after, adding: "I could not do what I did out there without this amazing man behind it.
"He led me every step of the way. I felt so comfortable. Thank you Bobby for allowing me to do that." It's then that the scores came in with Craig giving him six points, as the others gave him eight points each.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .